Of course, life goes on (for about 40-ish volumes) after the revelation of mutual love. Since their personalities are border neurotic nothing goes smooth sailing :D. Ikushima Takane appears in this volume, whose personality is somewhat opposite of Morimura. I’m envious how they can communicate with just their eyes XD

Summary

Fujimi is practicing. But Morimura is vexed. Because he has noticed, he has noticed that Fujimi’s skills are low, and the concert is in two weeks. With every wrong note he gets distracted. Tounoin then yells stop. At first Morimura is angry, who is it this time? But Tounoin’s eyes are saying, it’s you. Morimura’s eyes send back, there was nothing wrong with his play. But Tounoin merely meant that his thoughts were elsewhere and not on his baton. He sends an apologetic look and continues. After the practice he calls out to Tounoin for a drink. Tounoin already feels that Morimura is bothered by something and proposes a place where they can talk in peace without any of Fujimi getting to know of what they talk about. It’s a charming dark bar, mostly filled with musicians or those involved in the music industry. Morimura sees a poster announcing Fujimi’s nearing performance, so this is “Ototsubo”? The owner is the founder of M Kyou, his commanding voice and aggressive hammer can break all fights up. It’s rather necessary, as the place seems to have been created for the sake of venting the frustration of musicians, who are vexed about this or that fellow band member. Tounoin seems to be a regular, and he orders for Morimura who thinks it’s not appropriate to drink jpn beverages in such a place. Then he talks, what Tounoin thinks of Fujimi’s level. He talks in a roundabout way, but Tounoin immediately sees through him. Morimura must be thinking he has become good, and as a soloist Fujimi can’t back him up in the right way. Thinking this and hearing this are different matters, Tounoin’s words are like knives. He is torn by these thoughts, because he has always loathed arrogant ppl, and now it seems he has become one of them. Tounoin assures him, Morimura has become good. And what Morimura is feeling is only natural since the other instruments can back up his solo. But this doesn’t solve Morimura’s problem. A concert by Fujimi in which only the members of M Kyou can follow isn’t Fujimi’s concert anymore. Why is Fujimi so bad? The problem lies within himself, according to Tounoin. Does he want a skilled Fujimi? This answer is like a cold shower. He had always told himself that Fujimi is a low-level amateur-group consisting of music lovers and its great atmosphere is one of Fujimi’s charming points. But deep inside, he must have wished for a better Fujimi. They talk more, and Morimura learns of Tounoin’s ambition to turn Fujimi into another Cleveland Orchestra. (small orchestra becoming world-famous through their conductor). Also, the members of M Kyou have officially joined Fujimi, they can be count as fellow Fujimis now. When Fujimi is lacking certain instrument-players, Tounoin plans on bringing more members. This plan is disliked by Morimura. Like this Fujimi would be flooded with professional musicians, what about the amateurs? Would they actually stay next to those better musicians? Such a Fujimi won’t be Fujimi anymore. Still in the heat of the discussion alcohol gets into him, and his head falls on the table. In the background, he hears someone skilfully playing the piano. How nice…

The following day he is woken up by a hangover and a deep kiss. But the giver isn’t Kei! He yells for help while the bear-like guy is pressing on him, and right on that moment Kei appears. They’re in his room alright, but Kei is awfully cold, and treats the whole incident as a bad joke of Takane. The “bear” is Ikushima Takane, a good friend of Tounoin and a pianist (a genius according to the man himself, but Morimura ignores this). Tounoin manages to have Ikushima get off of Morimura, but remains distant. Ikushima followed Tounoin on his own account, claiming that he has been kicked out of his own apartment. After bearing more crude remarks, Morimura fetches his clothes and walks away infuriated. The bear calls after him that he wants three meals a day, double portions, like nothing happened. In his own room Morimura analyses the situation. Tounoin called him by his last name, meaning that Ikushima is not to know the true nature of their relationship. He decided to prepare dinner for the bear anyway, now he’s unemployed he has been cooking for Tounoin. It wouldn’t be suspicious that he treats his neighbour to dinner, as Tounoin helped him the night before. Back at Tounoin’s, he’s studying the music score. From experience, Morimura knows not to disturb him. Last time he called out to him Tounoin just looked coldly, and snarled he didn’t want to eat. But the bear doesn’t care at all and shakes his shoulders anyway. As expected Tounoin glares at Ikushima, but then he laughs and agrees to eat. What’s with the difference of attitude! Morimura prepared 5 portions, but the bear already had 3 fils and demands more. Morimura shows the rice-pot, it’s empty. Ikushima praises Morimura for his great cooking skills, but he isn’t happy at all. Tounoin only ate half of his portion and then left the table. (Ikushima conveniently finishes the portion for him). Morimura tells Ikushima that they agreed not to disturb Tounoin when he’s in deep concentration, and Ikushima just laughs it off, saying the guy hasn’t changed at all. After undergoing more crude remarks (about taking Tounoin’s place to “satisfy” him), Morimura flees to the kitchen, what a rude guy! But he is followed. Morimura tries to shrug him off, saying that in exchange of the meals, he gets to practice his violin in Tounoin’s room. When he’s arranging his music sheets, Ikushima fondles his violin, enraging Morimura even more. So he walks out, planning to never come again until the bear is out. He goes outside to practice, but it’s very cold. Back in his room, he’s in deep reflection. Why didn’t Tounoin get angry? It’s ok to be kissed by Ikushima since he’s a good friend? He has heard that “partner-swaps” are common things among gays, is Tounoin also like that? What is Ikushima for Tounoin, and what is his own position from Tounoin’s point of view? Since he still hates that bear’s guts, he is in no mood to cook for them, and then someone bangs on his door. It’s Ikushima, demanding dinner. Morimura is already in bed and is not planning to get up. Then he hears a second person’s footsteps. Like this the two of them walk downstairs, leaving Morimura behind.

Next day Morimura visits the doctor. Because of the outside-practice of the previous day he has a light fever. While waiting for his medicine, he watches some television. A series is up, and this woman is telling her friend that once the words “I love you” are out, the guy will lose his interest. This reminds Morimura of his own situation. At home he decides to join the practice that evening anyway. He’ll rest afterwards. Then he is disturbed by Ikushima who wants his lunch. Morimura tries to ignore him, but his provocations and kicks on his door irritates him immensely. He can’t sleep in such state of mind, so he decides to play the violin, it’s the only way to calm down. Kei’s place is the only place where he can play however. Then he notices it’s noon, and decides to cook anyway, for Kei’s sake. He forgot his frying pan at Tounoin’s yesterday, so he takes some rice and enters Tounoin’s apartment. Tounoin is studying the music score and Ikushima is picking his nose while lying on Kei’s bed. Morimura can’t stand the dirty act anymore and roughly hands a tissue box. Ikushima then says “they” have decided to eat out, who told Morimura to be this slow. “They”? Morimura feels excluded. Ever since Ikushima came, Kei hasn’t explained their relation or paid attention to him. He heads to the kitchen and is disheartened, it’s left in the same messy state like the previous day. When he hears a door closing, he hurries to the main room, figuring that Ikushima went to the toilet. Kei is resting on the ground, taking a break from studying. Morimura covers his body with a blanket. Ikushima appears and mocks him again.

Because of his down state, his performance during the practice is abominable. Tounoin reprimands him in an unusual cold voice, he is to separate private matters and professional matters. He is not professional by not taking care of his body. Today, he doesn’t suit playing the solo and commands him to retreat. Yasuda is to replace his solo that day. Feeling how he is not needed anywhere, he heads home dispirited. He thinks back of what happened that afternoon, how cold Tounoin remained. The words of that morning’s tv-series is repeating in his head. He wants to say that Tounoin isn’t that kind of guy, but he must admit, he only knows the side that Tounoin had allowed him to see. He then calls a taxi and heads to the store from before: Ototsubo. He doesn’t want to go home and is in no mood to meet familiar faces, so he decided on a strange place. All alone with the back to everyone, he thinks over. Tounoin did say he loved him, but was it all a game? He’s not Tounoin’s first love, and his own experience in love were all one-sided experiences. He doesn’t want to think like that, but fact is that Kei has turned cold from the moment Ikushima entered the picture. It’s hard to imagine that there’s more than that meets the eye between them, but then again, he doesn’t understand what goes on in a homosexual’s mind. Behind him someone is playing “Pathétique” all happily on the piano. Hearing this, he boils and throws his glass at the player. At first he’s shocked that he threw a glass to a total stranger, but the pianist turns out to be Ikushima. The patron commands Morimura to retreat. Kei said the same thing earlier. Seems like he really has no place anywhere. Ikushima stops him, as an apology, he demands to play a duet with Morimura’s bad violin play. Morimura doesn’t have the strength to protest anymore and complies. They play 4 songs together. Ikushima wants to continue, but Morimura pleads, please let him off. He’s drunk, he already understands how bad he is. Ikushima truly is the genius he claimed to be. Tounoin must have been ashamed with a lover as him. When he is about to leave, someone pulls him and he hears an angry but familiar voice. What is he doing here? Morimura apologies and hurries to the counter. He has no right to feel hurt when he’s the one who doesn’t qualify. But Tounoin didn’t get his answer, and asks again in a more demanding tone. Ikushima steps between them, it’s because Tounoin has been neglecting him, so Ikushima was just comforting Morimura. He crudely announces that they have been intimate, and that even if he’s his concertmaster, his private matters are none of Tounoin’s business. Tounoin asks Morimura, is it true? This whole time, Morimura is being held from behind by Ikushima and the whole bar is watching them. He stammers that it’s wrong, but Ikushima intervenes; denying only makes it worse. Tounoin seems to believe Ikushima’s lie. Morimura’s tears fall, he only loves… Kei. A smack! But above Morimura’s head (and whose face is above his head?). So he has finally admitted (their relationship) and Ikushima smirks. He pushes Morimura aside, preparing for battle, musician-style (with legs XD). Morimura usually doesn’t have nimble reflexes, but here he jumped just in time between the two, and he ends up getting kicked hard around his chest by Ikushima. He flies up and falls on the floor. Due to the impact his chest is suffocating. He can hear both men’s worried voices, but it’s Ikushima who picks him up and helps him in the position to breathe. He then urges Tounoin to perform mouth-to-mouth.. Now finally being able to breath on his own Tounoin holds Morimura’s face tightly. Ikushima blames Tounoin, he shouldn’t have cared that much about losing face, and Tounoin sincerely answers he is atoning for it. Hearing this Morimura apologies, for making Tounoin feel embarrassed. Ikushima notices the curious audience and barks at them. Morimura gets angry with him and calls him by his name, making them realise that he is THE Ikushima Takane, genius pianist. Morimura now also remembers him, he heard of them when he was studying for his entrance exams to Art University. They go outside where Tounoin is trying to catch a taxi while carrying Morimura on his back. No vehicle stops so Ikushima walks to the middle of the road. Ikushima also enters the taxi and ignores Tounoin who remarks that Ikushima has caused enough problems. Ikushima then proposes: in exchange for one day lodging and meals, he’ll join their concert. Tounoin agrees, but has 3 conditions: 1. don’t touch Yuuki, 2. he only gets dinner and 3. he needs to practice with Yuuki (and get more meals accordingly).

When thinking about what he read of Ikushima Takane, he was the guy who claimed that practice was for idiots. Even though a pure Japanese, he grew up in Harlem (New York). As soon he was discovered as the genius pianist, they called him a disgrace to the world of classical music. But they all shut up as soon they hear him play. And this guy will play at Fujimi’s performance? Morimura starts drooling. For mere lodging and his own hard-cooked dinners? Is this crude and sloppy guy really the genius Ikushima Takane? He looks at Tounoin. Tounoin only answers with a light smile in his eyes. Finally Ikushima opens his mouth, he agrees to the conditions. However, he has played 4 songs with Morimura already, so next day he is to receive three meals. Is this true? Tounoin hastily asks what Ikushima thought of it. Ikushima only shows his middle finger, since when would Tounoin rely on his ears? (we’ll know in the next subpart why Tounoin is so excited to hear this). They arrive to their home. Just when Morimura wants to wave goodbye in front of his own room floor 6, he notices his keys are gone. Ikushima stole them! And it seems it’s one of his habits! So like this, Ikushima snatches Morimura’s room.. Tounoin circles his arms around Morimura’s shoulders, let’s do something about that fever. But things haven’t been solved yet. Why did Morimura run to that place? Because… he wanted a drink. Kei is not happy with this answer and they enter Tounoin’s apartment.

They sit again on the floor, opposite of each other. There’s no use to lie, because whenever he does it shows on his face. Tounoin asks the same question, why did he come to Ototsubo? This time Morimura answers it’s because he was down since Tounoin told him to leave the practice. Tounoin insists, isn’t it because he is having a misunderstanding between him and Takane? There was no such misunderstanding, Tounoin and Ikushima are only friends right? Well… very close friends. Morimura smiles wryly. That’s right, because they are such good friends, he got a bit jealous like a kid, because it was impossible for him to enter their circle. But wasn’t Yuuki bothered why he turned so cold to him. Morimura shakes his head again, he understands, it’s enough if Kei says he loves him. (a tear falls) Tounoin explains, the reason why he didn’t want Takane to know, was because he didn’t want to let that guy see his happy expression (as opposed to the usual poker face), having just obtained Yuuki. This is since… Takane and him once competed who would have the most lovers in just one week. Like a distortion in a piano-play(*KADANG*), this shakes Morimura up. However, he only smiles and says he understands. Tounoin looks at him with doubtful eyes. Morimura asks, isn’t it all about pride? Tounoin hesitates, well yes. But Morimura is happy from the bottom that they didn’t share a past as lovers. Apparently, they met through a fight. And if it’s about his type, Morimura should look at the mirror to know what his type is. Morimura confesses he really was a bit uneasy about the whole situation, since he doesn’t know much about him -except that Kei loves him. Tounoin answers accordingly and pulls him in his arms for a gentle yet passionate kiss. He doesn’t want to hear, he doesn’t want to know how many lovers have kissed those lips. Fantasising and hearing it straight out are two different issues, and the confession about his promiscuous past really shocked him. He’s hurt a lot, so all those compliments about his musical talent were mere flattery. It’s a fact that he didn’t want Ikushima to know the extent of their relation, and Tounoin did say he was embarrassed. He’d prefer to be told that he indeed is mediocre, but that Tounoin still loved him despite that. During the love-making, Kei seems a total stranger. The familiar moves and touches, but he doesn’t know that man. After hearing Tounoin’s soft breath which confirms he’s in dreams land, he softly cries himself asleep. They’re drifting more and more apart.

Dramacd

Ah~Okiayu-san sounds so cute when voice-acting all drunk. I love the piano-piece that Morimura hears while being knocked out in Ototsubo. I wonder what that piece’s name is. While I think Yao-san fits the role as Ikushima Takane, they shouldn’t have used the same seiyuu as Yasaka (in I.2). If I remember correctly, Yasaka was supposed to be a student, Yao-san sounded way too old. Him being recast as Ikushima kind of confused me. But their celebration of his come-back to Fujimi in the FT was fun at least.

Rating: /

An unusual unfinished ending of a subpart, since the rest of the novel covers a side story. Apparently, the author was advised by the editor to complete the part in the next novel. Otherwise novel4 would be only filled with side stories. About Tounoin’s attitude, I was a bit angry with him. Even if he doesn’t want to expose the cracks of his poker-face, he can at least tell Takane that Morimura and he are in a relationship, or just talk to Morimura after the Fujimi-practice. I mean, sure he’s worried since Morimura got a fever. But to say it in such an accusing way… And Morimura… let’s say this is only the tip of the iceberg concerning his lack of confidence :D He really is so girly inside (he cries a LOT), yet I can’t find him whiney, they’re just so cute together ^^